Ear Punches and Tags

Animal researchers use WPI ear punches and ear tags as a method of identifying individual research animals in laboratories. WPI identification ear tags are perfect for rats, mice, guinea pigs, other rodents, fingerling fish, duck webbed feet and other small animals.

WPI ear tags for small animals are made of monel, a nickel-copper alloy, which is corrosion resistant and strong yet flexible (ductile). Ear tags may be ordered in sets of 100 or 1000 consecutive numbers. They are applied with a stainless steel applicator, sold separately. The small animal ear tag applicator is designed to seal the ear tags with minimal pressure, while providing a good, secure seal. The ear tag applicator can be used with or without a spring. The spring applies slight closing pressure to help hold the tag in the applicator prior to sealing.

Simply place a sequentially numbered metal ear tag in the applicator, keeping the hole side of the ear tag flat against the jaw of the applicator with the indentation.  Locate the tag within the ear, applying the ear tag just beyond a ring of cartilage.  After sealing, be sure to verify that the tag point came through the hole and bent around it, sealing properly. Wash the applied ear tags in alcohol or a similar cleaning solution to help prevent infection to the ear.